Local heroes

Churton WinesI'm not a fan of Sauvignon Blanc as a rule, but the 2010 offering from these guys was enough to win me over. A biodynamic vineyard in Marlborough's Waihopai Valley, Churton Wines also produces pinot noir with depth and complexity. New World wine tempered with Old World style is their catch-phrase. As far as we're concerned, it works.

Korimako StudioWatercolours and oils don't normally mix but no-one told that to our friend, Jan. She paints in both and her art is magical. Jan's also a gardener, creating whimsy and humour in her patch of the great outdoors.

Wairau Pass HomestayBeautiful eco-friendly home, built by our neighbour, Helen, and her hubby, Eric. The house was designed on passive solar principles and constructed from earth bricks and macrocarpa. Helen has vast knowledge of NZ native flora and fauna. She is also an amazing cook.

Not-so-local heroes

Abriachan Garden NurserySituated on a hillside above Loch Ness, this wonderful place is the result of 28 years' hard slog by Donald and Margaret Davidson, both of whom could be classed as forces of nature in their own right. If I'm ever tempted to get discouraged about our crappy soil, challenging climate and the sheer enormity of what we've taken on, I think about these two and am instantly re-inspired. We owe the existence of the Heapie Family to Donald and, thanks to Margaret, can now identify most of what's already growing here, including the pasture grasses. As an added bonus, they don't think we're complete idiots for wanting to do this.